The Tigers seem to beat up on Hochevar a lot. He had a 5.25 ERA against the Tigers coming in. He's going to have to pitch an 16-inning complete game without allowing any more runs to lower it. (Don't make a post correcting me. Didn't actually do the math.)

The Tigers would be in rough shape if not for the surprising start by Drew Smyly. With Doug Fister injured, Max Scherzer showing no signs of consistency, Rick Porcello up and down and no starting pitching help coming from Toledo (at least right now), the rotation would be in shambles without Smyly and, of course, Justin Verlander.

They are 1-2 without him so far. Suspension is seven days and just five games, thanks to the off-day and a rainout. Not sure the Tigers can prove how much Young helps or doesn't help in that short of a span.

Jim Leyland downplayed the leadership aspect in his pregame session with media members today. Basically said leaders lead by hitting the ball. Said something like, "I've never seen a team leader hit .215." With all that said, I think they miss Victor Martinez a lot.

Who are the unnamed persons? I was told on the record that there were no other Tigers with Delmon Young at the time. If you are referring to non-Tiger, well, I can say with certainty that there are plenty of "unnamed persons" on the streets of Manhattan at all hours of the day and night.

This incident didn't change Young's status with the Tigers for 2013. There was basically no chance he was going to be back with the Tigers next year anyway. Eligible for free agency. They were going to let him walk.

Not assuming anything. The plan right now is for Scherzer to stay in the rotation and for Below to head back to the bullpen. That might change, but that is the plan at this point. They value Below in the bullpen a lot and want to get him back there. Right now, the other young pitchers have not given the Tigers a reason to give them a shot.